Tutoring Community Definition & Terms
Test prep glossary every tutors and tutoring businesses should know
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Workbooks
Workbooks are structured books with lessons, exercises, and practice problems to help students learn and apply skills.
White label
White labeling is the practice of branding a product or service with a different company's name and logo.
Virtual study group
A virtual study group is a group of students who come together online to study and learn collaboratively.
Virtual classroom
A virtual classroom is an online learning environment that simulates a traditional classroom setting.
Timed Practice
Master time-constrained performance skills that transform knowledge into scores under test-day pressure.
TestNAV
Help students build digital fluency like in TestNAV, reduce test-day anxiety, and perform their best with EdisonOS’ realistic practice tools.
Test Prep
Master test prep tutoring strategies that drive measurable score improvements and transform your practice.
Test Optional
Test-optional policies let students choose whether to submit standardized test scores in applications.
Test Day
An overview of test-day’s importance, timing strategies, and practical tutoring techniques to help students stay confident and consistent.
Synchronous learning
Synchronous learning is a type of online learning where learners and instructors participate in real-time activities together, such as live video conferencing, chat rooms, or virtual classrooms.
Superscoring
Superscoring combines a student’s best SAT or ACT section scores, creating a higher overall result for admissions.
SRT (Student Readiness Tool)
Use SHSAT's official Student Readiness Tool for digital test preparation. Build interface familiarity and reduce test anxiety with proven SRT strategies.
SPR (Student Produced Response)
SPR (Student-Produced Response) questions require students to solve and enter answers without given choices.
Student engagement
Student engagement refers to the active participation, involvement, and emotional investment of students in the learning process.
Standardised Tests
Assessments designed to measure a student's knowledge, skills, or abilities in a consistent and uniform manner.
SHSAT TEIs
Navigate SHSAT's digital TEI formats including drag-drop, interactive graphs, and grid-in questions. Essential tutor guide for 2025 digital SHSAT preparation.
SHSAT
Master the SHSAT for NYC specialized high schools. Tutors get comprehensive strategies, digital format insights, and proven techniques for Stuyvesant, Bronx Science success.
SCR (Short Constructed Response)
Master SHSAT's short constructed response format. Tutors learn typing strategies, evidence-based answers, and digital writing skills for optimal SCR performance.
Self-paced course
A self-paced course is an online learning experience in which learners can progress through the course material at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Selection Index
The PSAT Selection Index determines National Merit eligibility, shaping scholarships and recognition.
Scoring Rubric
Detailed evaluation frameworks defining specific criteria for awarding points on AP exams and standardized tests.
Score Plateau
Navigate score stagnation through strategic diagnosis and targeted interventions that create breakthroughs.
Scientific Calculator
Master calculator policies and strategic usage for both SAT and ACT math success.
SAS
SAT SAS for developing strategic approaches for students by tutors throughout their tutoring program
QAS
SAT QAS for developing strategic approaches for students by tutors throughout their tutoring program
SAT
The SAT, which stands for Scholastic Assessment Test, is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States.
Reporting and Analytics
Process of collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data to gain insights and make informed decisions.
Raw Score
Learn how raw scores convert to ACT composite and SAT total scores. A must-read for tutors seeking data-driven strategies to boost student performance.
Traps in SAT, ACT, PSAT
Master wrong answer patterns that exploit common cognitive biases and boost scores through trap recognition.
PSAT
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board in the United States.
Proctored exams
Proctored examinations are exams that are monitored by an authorized person, known as a proctor, to ensure that the exam is taken fairly and without cheating
Pretest Questions
Help students navigate experimental questions and maintain peak performance throughout testing.
PreACT
Understand the PreACT and its role in building ACT readiness. Tutors can use PreACT insights to create data-driven, customized prep strategies for higher scores.
Pre-AP
College Board's foundational program building AP readiness through systematic skill development in grades 9-10.
Practice Sets
Practice sets turn strategies into measurable growth, helping tutors track, target, and transform results.
Personalized learning
Personalized learning meets the individual needs, interests, and learning styles of each student.
POOD (Personal Order of Difficulty)
Master personalized question selection strategies that maximize scores by tackling easiest questions first.
Pedagogy
Instructional methods for teaching standardized test strategies, pattern recognition, and exam-specific techniques.
Pacing
Master time management strategies like pacing that transform test performance and build student confidence under pressure
Online tutoring platform
An online tutoring platform is a web-based or app-based platform that enables students to connect with tutors remotely for academic support, guidance, and instruction.
One-on-One Tutoring
Master individualized SAT/ACT instruction to maximize student outcomes and build premium tutoring practice.
National Test Day
Master National Test Day strategy to optimize student success and elevate your tutoring expertise.
Mock tests
A mock test is a practice exam that simulates the format and difficulty level of a real test
Makeup dates
Makeup dates offer SAT, ACT, and PSAT students critical second chances to stay on track.
Live classes
Live classes refer to real-time online sessions where instructors and learners come together virtually to engage in learning activities.
Knowledge Testing Points (KTP)
Implement systematic Knowledge Testing Points to build measurable test preparation success.
Ivy League
The Ivy League is 8 elite U.S. universities famed for academic excellence, selectivity, history, and strong alumni ties.
Item Response Theory (IRT)
Master IRT fundamentals to understand adaptive testing and provide expert SAT score interpretation.
Hybrid learning module
Hybrid learning modules combines both face-to-face and online learning components.
Hot Text
Excel at SHSAT Hot Text questions with interactive text selection strategies. Build active reading skills and evidence identification for specialized high school success.
Group Tutoring
Master group tutoring strategies that boost engagement, reduce costs, and improve test prep outcomes.
Graphing calculator
A handheld electronic device or software application that allows users to plot and analyze mathematical functions and equations visually.
Flipped Classroom
An instructional strategy where traditional teaching methods are inverted.
Flexible Learning
An educational approach that offers learners the freedom to choose when, where, and how they learn.
Field Test Questions
Master Enhanced ACT field test questions to prepare students for embedded experimental items.
Face-to-Face Training
In-person instructional sessions where educators and learners interact directly, but technology is used to enhance the teaching and learning experience.
Equating
Master SAT equating to explain score variations and build student confidence through expert knowledge.
Freemium Model
A business strategy that offers both free and premium (paid) versions of a product or service.
Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision for developing strategic approaches for students by tutors throughout their tutoring program
Early Action
Master Early Action timelines to guide students toward strategic testing schedules and better admission outcomes.
Digital SAT
The digital SAT is an online version of the traditional SAT exam.
Diagnostic Test
Master diagnostic testing strategies for SAT, ACT, and SHSAT preparation success.
Desmos
The digital SAT now integrates Desmos, an on-screen graphing calculator, giving students powerful math tools for every question.
Cut Score
Score thresholds determining pass/fail and proficiency levels on standardized tests and assessments.
Concordance
Concordance links SAT and ACT scores, helping tutors translate results across tests.
Composite Score
Master the ACT composite score with strategies tutors trust. Learn how balanced prep, mock tracking, and data-driven insights can boost student performance with EdisonOS.
College Readiness
Score benchmarks on SAT and ACT correlating with probability of earning passing grades in college courses.
Course and Exam Description (CED)
Official College Board documents defining AP course content, skills, exam formats, and scoring guidelines.
BYOD
Discover how Bring Your Own Device transforms test prep tutoring with personalized digital learning.
Bluebook for SAT
Bluebook is the College Board’s official digital SAT testing app providing students with adaptive practice tests
Blended learning
Blended learning combines traditional face-to-face classroom teaching with online learning activities.
Automated Readability Index (ARI)
Use ARI assessment to optimize reading instruction and select appropriate test prep materials.
Assessments
Assessments refer to the process of evaluating or measuring knowledge, skills, or abilities of individuals or groups.
Application Programming Interface (API)
API stands for Application Programming Interface.It is like a messenger that helps different software applications talk to each other and work more efficiently.
Free Response Question (FRQ)
Open-ended AP exam questions requiring constructed responses scored on detailed rubrics for partial credit.
Document Based Question (DBQ)
AP History essay format requiring analysis of seven source documents to construct thesis-driven arguments.
AP College Credit
How AP exam scores translate to college credit, saving tuition costs and accelerating degree completion.
AP Bootcamp
Intensive pre-exam AP review programs condensing year-long content and strategies into focused preparation sessions.
AP
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States and Canada that offers college-level courses and exams to high school students.
Adaptive learning
Adaptive learning is a method of teaching and learning that uses technology to adjust the content, pace, and level of difficulty of learning materials.
MAK (My Answer Key)
ACT MAK for developing strategic approaches for students by tutors throughout their tutoring program
ACT Gateway
Master ACT Gateway technology to elevate your tutoring practice and prepare students for success.
ACT
ACT stands for American College Testing and is a standardized test used by colleges and universities in the United States for admissions purposes.
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